Dynamics of the body weight-wage relationship in emerging countries: Evidence from Mexico
Levasseur, Pierre
Dynamics of the body weight-wage relationship in emerging countries: Evidence from Mexico - 2021.
49
This article explores the dynamics of the relationship between body weight and wages in Mexico, an emerging country with high obesity prevalence. For this empirical study, we used observational panel data from the Mexican Family Life Survey (2002–2012). First, we descriptively investigated the relationship between body weight and wages and the dynamics of this relationship over time. We then implemented a difference-in-differences design that performs estimates that are robust to time-invariant heterogeneity. Our results show that the relationship between body weight and hourly wages depends on gender, time, and occupation status. While the results revealed significant wage penalties over time for overweight service workers, we observed a relative acceptance of excess weight in other employment sectors, especially among high-skill jobs. Consequently, our results have important implications for public policy.JEL Codes: O15, I12, C21.
Dynamics of the body weight-wage relationship in emerging countries: Evidence from Mexico - 2021.
49
This article explores the dynamics of the relationship between body weight and wages in Mexico, an emerging country with high obesity prevalence. For this empirical study, we used observational panel data from the Mexican Family Life Survey (2002–2012). First, we descriptively investigated the relationship between body weight and wages and the dynamics of this relationship over time. We then implemented a difference-in-differences design that performs estimates that are robust to time-invariant heterogeneity. Our results show that the relationship between body weight and hourly wages depends on gender, time, and occupation status. While the results revealed significant wage penalties over time for overweight service workers, we observed a relative acceptance of excess weight in other employment sectors, especially among high-skill jobs. Consequently, our results have important implications for public policy.JEL Codes: O15, I12, C21.
Réseaux sociaux